Offered As A Lucky Bride To The Mad Princess To Ward Off Misfortune - Chapter 3

3: “I Have Long Admired Prince Ning, and No One Else Will Do…”

“Be at ease.” Xiao Qijun said, glancing at Haitang, who was pinned to the bench, and frowned. “What’s going on here?”

Yu Nanbo had already learned the details of the situation from Yu Nanrou. Stepping forward, he bowed to Prince Chen and said with a wry smile, “Today, we invited Your Highness to the mansion to admire the plum blossoms, but I never expected you to witness such a scene. A few days ago, my third sister lost a hairpin and wanted this maid to dive into the water to retrieve it. But in such cold weather, my fourth sister, always kind-hearted, couldn’t bear to see this and got into a dispute.”

Yu Nanbo, as the only legitimate son of the Duke’s household since Lady Li was elevated to the position of primary wife, was the undisputed heir to the Dukedom. Coupled with his status as a study companion to Prince Chen, he was known for his lavish spending and carefree outings with fellow noblemen in the capital, making him extremely popular among the city’s young lords.

Moreover, he was known for distributing porridge to refugees outside the city, earning him widespread praise among the common folk. His deeds had even reached the emperor’s ears. If not for his young age, he might already have been granted an official position.

Thus, he was highly favored in Prince Chen’s presence.

“It’s so cold—jumping into that water could kill someone! Brother Prince Chen, you must save that poor maid!” a young princess nearby pleaded, unable to bear the sight.

Several others who had come along echoed her sentiments, speaking up for Haitang. “This isn’t about retrieving a hairpin! It’s clearly an attempt to kill someone! Under the emperor’s rule, with the laws of Great Qi so clear, how could such a vicious act happen in the Duke’s household?”

“It’s just a hairpin. Is it really worth forcing someone to dive into a lake in this weather?”

As the nobles chimed in one after another, Xiao Qijun, who had come with the intention of winning over Yu Nanqing, found himself in a difficult position. He had no desire to make things hard for the Duke’s family, but now he was caught in an awkward spot, his brow furrowing in displeasure.

This frown was different from the one he had shown when he first witnessed the commotion. Yu Nanbo was the first to notice the prince’s dissatisfaction, and his heart skipped a beat. Compared to siding with his sister to tarnish Yu Nanqing’s reputation, he was far more afraid of angering Xiao Qijun.

Stepping toward Yu Nanqing, Yu Nanbo spoke first. “Everyone’s right. Forcing someone to dive into the lake in this cold weather is somewhat reckless. It’s just a hairpin, Third Sister. Why don’t you name a price, and I’ll cover it for her?”

The young princesses, who had heard of Yu Nanbo’s generosity, now saw him stepping up for a mere maid. Their eyes sparkled as they looked at him.

“Brother Yu is truly righteous. No wonder he’s earned the emperor’s favor at such a young age,” one said.

Others compared him to Yu Nanqing. “They’re both from the Duke’s household, yet Brother Yu is so kind-hearted. How could he have such a vicious sister?”

“Didn’t you hear? A few days ago, the emperor issued a marriage decree, betrothing this Third Miss Yu to the deposed Crown Prince.”

“The deposed Crown Prince?” The mention of his name sent shivers through the crowd, and their gazes toward Yu Nanqing were tinged with schadenfreude. “She deserves it!”

Chenxiang, Yu Nanqing’s maid, couldn’t hold back her indignation, but Yu Nanqing grabbed her arm. Though Yu Nanqing was still weak from her recent illness and lacked strength, Chenxiang was stopped in her tracks. Looking at her mistress, Chenxiang’s eyes brimmed with grievance.

Chenxiang’s anger wasn’t just about the deposed Crown Prince. It was also about the money Yu Nanbo had so casually offered to pay for Haitang’s mistake.

Not to mention Yu Nanbo—the entire Duke’s household’s expenses were sustained by Yu Nanqing’s mother’s dowry and the occasional banknotes sent by the Ji family over the years.

While most of the jewelry and trinkets made it to Yu Nanqing’s hands, the banknotes were withheld by Duke Yu under the pretext that Yu Nanqing was too young to manage them.

Back then, the old Duke had forced Duke Yu to marry Lady Ji based on the household’s financial situation. Duke Yu, relying on his inherited position, had climbed to the rank of Assistant Minister of Rites. But maintaining that position required constant social maneuvering, and what maneuvering didn’t require money?

Even Yu Nanbo’s reputation for charity, which had earned him the emperor’s favor, relied on those porridge distributions. With Duke Yu’s meager salary, they could barely afford to do it once a month, let alone several times.

Yet here was Yu Nanbo, grandly offering to use Yu Nanqing’s money to cover the cost of the hairpin. Chenxiang couldn’t swallow her anger. But when Yu Nanqing shook her head and tightened her grip on her arm, Chenxiang, worried about upsetting her mistress, could only lower her head in silence.

How could Yu Nanqing not understand Chenxiang’s thoughts?

But with princesses and noble heirs present, how could a mere maid like Chenxiang argue back?

The one to interrupt was Xiao Qijun. He softly reprimanded his younger siblings before turning to Yu Nanqing with a complex expression. “Miss Yu, why don’t you do me a favor and let this matter end here, as Second Young Master Yu suggested?”

With a prince speaking, Yu Nanqing naturally had to show some deference. Besides, she was in a good mood and happy to play along with the siblings’ charade. She gave a slight bow to Xiao Qijun, then turned to call, “Chenxiang.”

“Yes, Miss.” Chenxiang responded, lowering her head.

“Do you remember the value of the hairpin?”

Though reluctant, Chenxiang respectfully bowed to Yu Nanbo and said loudly, “Second Young Master, my lady’s jade hairpin was specially crafted from mutton-fat jade sourced from the Western Regions by her maternal grandfather. It’s lustrous and rare, carved over months by the finest artisan in Yangzhou, and blessed by an enlightened monk. Setting aside other costs, the jade and craftsmanship alone cost eight hundred taels of gold, all documented upon entering the household.”

The noble heirs, who had just been indignantly accusing Yu Nanqing of pettiness, gasped. “Eight hundred taels of gold?”

They knew Yu Nanqing’s mother came from the wealthy Ji family of Yuezhou in Jiangnan, but they hadn’t realized just how wealthy. A hairpin worth eight hundred taels of gold was something even they, as royals, rarely saw—typically reserved for their elders. Yet Yu Nanqing not only owned such a piece but wore it casually, not even on a special occasion. Their eyes gleamed with envy.

Eight hundred taels of gold could buy countless feasts at the finest restaurants or performances by the top courtesans in the pleasure houses. It could buy a hundred maids like Haitang.

For such a valuable hairpin lost in the water, what was wrong with making a maid dive to retrieve it? If it were them, they’d probably demand the maid drain the lake to vent their frustration.

The onlookers could no longer argue for sparing the maid, and the most awkward position was Yu Nanbo’s, who had boldly promised to cover the cost.

Though Duke Yu doted on him and gave him free rein with money, eight hundred taels of gold wasn’t something he could produce easily.

Yu Nanbo glanced at Yu Nanrou, who had caused this mess, then quickly looked away. “Third Sister, you’re soon to marry Prince Ning. Mother has been adamant about sending you off grandly, so I’m a bit short on funds. Since you want that hairpin back, how about this: when the weather warms, I’ll personally oversee its retrieval. What do you think?”

The crowd immediately praised him, their eyes full of admiration. “Young Master Yu is so generous, even willing to dip into his own funds for his sister’s marriage.”

Yu Nanbo modestly waved off the compliments before turning to Yu Nanqing. “What do you think, Sister?”

Yu Nanqing’s lips curved upward, but the warmth in her eyes faded entirely. She had underestimated Yu Nanbo’s shamelessness.

“So, Second Brother, you don’t want to pay, but you also won’t let me punish the maid?”

Yu Nanbo frowned. “Why would you say that, Third Sister? I said I’d oversee Haitang’s retrieval of the hairpin when the weather warms. I’ll make sure it’s done.”

Yu Nanrou chimed in, fanning the flames. “Third Sister, even if you don’t trust us, with Prince Chen here as a witness, do you really doubt him?”

As the most favored prince and a likely candidate for the next crown prince, Xiao Qijun’s name carried weight. By invoking him, Yu Nanrou was putting Yu Nanqing in a bind—refusing would risk being accused of disrespecting the imperial family.

With Yu Nanrou’s words setting the stage, everyone expected Yu Nanqing to agree to Yu Nanbo’s proposal. But then, a soft, low laugh escaped her lips, gentle and lingering, stirring something in the hearts of those who heard it.

In the Duke’s household, Yu Nanbo was the most renowned of his generation, and his sister Yu Nanrou was also highly praised. Yu Nanqing, however, was often described as moody and arrogant.

The nobles had always avoided her during visits to the Duke’s mansion, never giving her a proper look. But now, drawn by her laugh, they finally took notice.

Her skin was like porcelain, her dark hair like satin, her delicate features framed by the fur of her fox-fur cloak. Her light-colored eyes, accentuated by the wind-reddened corners, held an indescribable allure.

They had always thought Yu Nanbo was handsome and Yu Nanrou beautiful, especially since everyone in the capital knew Duke Yu favored Lady Li, so her children were naturally considered the most outstanding. But now, they realized the true beauty of the Duke’s household was Yu Nanqing, whom they had previously dismissed. Her clear, almost otherworldly eyes seemed to enchant, making people instinctively soften their voices.

“Fourth Miss, I don’t like hearing that,” a young nobleman, around Yu Nanbo’s age, said impatiently. “Your sister hasn’t even spoken, and you’re already pinning a charge of doubting Prince Chen on her. Be careful, or the entire Duke’s household might be implicated.”

Yu Nanrou, young and impulsive, paled at the thought of dragging the whole family into trouble. She grabbed Yu Nanbo, explaining, “Brother, that’s not what I meant! I just thought with Prince Chen here, no one would dare act dishonestly.”

Yu Nanbo pursed his lips, deep in thought. Today’s events were orchestrated by Yu Nanrou, who had begged him to bring Prince Chen and the others to ruin Yu Nanqing’s reputation. Yet now, Yu Nanqing stood unscathed, somehow winning the crowd’s sympathy, while he and Yu Nanrou were on the back foot.

Realizing this wasn’t the right moment to press further, he was about to let the matter drop when Yu Nanqing spoke first.

“I appreciate Second Brother’s kindness, but I’m shallow and care only about the present. I’m about to enter Prince Ning’s household. Who can say what will happen when the weather warms?”

“If you’re unwilling to pay for this maid, then let her dive for the hairpin.”

Yu Nanbo’s face stiffened. After all that, they were back to square one, and he nearly lost his temper. It wasn’t Haitang’s life he cared about—it was the risk of this escalating to reveal Yu Nanqing’s fall into the water.

Looking at the icy lake, Yu Nanqing’s light eyes held a faint, ambiguous smile. “Chenxiang, untie Haitang.”

“Yes, Miss.” Chenxiang replied, stepping forward to loosen the coarse ropes binding Haitang’s hands and feet and removing the cloth from her mouth before pressing her to kneel before Yu Nanqing.

Haitang, realizing Yu Nanqing was serious about making her dive, looked desperately at Yu Nanrou, who avoided her gaze. With so many people present, not even Yu Nanbo could save her—what could Yu Nanrou do?

Terrified, Haitang kowtowed to Yu Nanqing. “Third Miss, please spare me! Please, I beg you!”

The plum blossoms by the lake were in full bloom, their delicate petals carried by the cold wind, landing on Yu Nanqing’s long lashes and into her palm.

Her pale red lips pursed slightly, her smile not reaching her eyes. Looking down at the pleading Haitang, she spoke coldly, “Your mistress said you were careless. Let this be a lesson.”

Haitang froze mid-kowtow, glancing at Yu Nanrou again.

Yu Nanrou turned away, and Haitang, as if suddenly enlightened, crawled forward a step. “Third Miss, it wasn’t carelessness that day! Fourth Miss ordered me to push you into the water to prevent you from resisting the imperial decree!”

The words stunned everyone.

Yu Nanrou’s face drained of color. Pointing at Haitang with a trembling hand, she shouted, “Vile slave, how dare you slander me!”

Haitang kowtowed to Yu Nanqing again. Facing certain death in the water, she saw a glimmer of hope if Yu Nanqing spared her. To prove her loyalty, she betrayed Yu Nanrou completely. “Third Miss, Fourth Miss has always been at odds with you. Even the decree betrothing you to Prince Ning was her idea, suggested to the Duke. When the decree arrived, she feared you’d resist and cause trouble, so she signaled me to act. After you fell into the water, she accepted the decree on your behalf. Everyone here can testify!”

Yu Nanqing’s eyes narrowed slightly. She had known her father sought the marriage decree to ease the emperor’s burdens, but she hadn’t realized Yu Nanrou’s role in it.

In her previous life, Yu Nanrou had taken her place in the deposed Crown Prince’s household. It seemed she hadn’t been wronged after all.

Stepping forward, Yu Nanqing leaned slightly, her fox-fur cloak fluttering, carrying a faint herbal scent. “Do you know the consequences of slandering your mistress?”

“Third Miss, please uphold justice for me! Every word I’ve said is true!” Haitang pleaded.

Her words shocked Yu Nanbo’s entourage. They questioned a few of the Duke’s servants and learned that not only had Yu Nanqing lost her hairpin, but she had also fallen into the water!

And the culprit had pretended to be the victim, crying for justice.

Though these noble heirs were often frivolous, they weren’t fools. They could see through such crude schemes and weren’t pleased to be used as pawns.

“Yu Nanrou, how vicious you are! If Third Sister hadn’t pressed, this maid wouldn’t have told the truth, and we’d all have been fooled!”

“I always thought she was the one wronged in the Duke’s household. But with her mother now the Duchess, who would dare mistreat her?”

Yu Nanrou, alone and overwhelmed, saw her protests drowned out by the crowd.

A gust of cold wind made Yu Nanqing cough softly into her handkerchief, her pale face showing the fragility of her recent recovery.

A young princess, moved by pity, suggested, “Third Sister’s health isn’t fully restored. She should rest. Leave this to us—we’ll ensure justice.”

“Your Highness, this matter is complex. We can’t take a maid’s word alone to prove my sister’s guilt. If she were truly responsible, why would she bring Haitang before Third Sister in the first place? This needs thorough investigation.” Yu Nanbo said, regaining his composure and addressing Xiao Qijun.

As this was an internal matter of the Duke’s household, even those of high status had no right to interfere. Xiao Qijun looked to Yu Nanqing, the victim, for her opinion.

Yu Nanqing had no intention of truly punishing Yu Nanrou or Haitang. Her only goal was to keep them from causing trouble before she left the Duke’s household. Today’s events were enough to ruin Yu Nanrou’s carefully cultivated reputation. Within hours, the news of her plotting against her legitimate sister would spread across the capital.

The outcome of any investigation wouldn’t matter—people would believe what they wanted, and the more the Duke’s household defended Yu Nanrou, the more the public would side with Yu Nanqing.

That was enough.

Yu Nanqing bowed to Xiao Qijun. “Your Highness, I’ll leave this to my second brother to investigate. His kindness will surely deliver justice.”

Yu Nanbo, used to such praise, felt a chill down his spine but forced a smile. “Rest assured, Third Sister.”

This would surely reach Duke Yu, and it would be up to him how much he’d compromise for his beloved daughter. Yu Nanqing turned, exhaling deeply, and said to Chenxiang, “Let’s go.”

But as she reached Bilan Pavilion, footsteps sounded behind her. “Nanqing—”

Turning, she saw Xiao Qijun hurrying toward her, accompanied only by a single servant, clearly avoiding attention.

“Does Your Highness have further business?” Yu Nanqing asked, bowing again, her knees aching.

“I know the marriage decree has wronged you.” Xiao Qijun said after a pause, his tone a mix of affection and helplessness. “Once you’re in Prince Ning’s household, I’ll find a way to save you.”

Yu Nanqing reassessed Xiao Qijun. As the prince backed by the Duke’s household, she had interacted with him before, aiming to join his faction through the imperial exams. In her previous life, she would have been touched by his words, seeing them as a sign of his respect for talent. But now, knowing his true nature, she found them grating.

Lowering her gaze, she appeared to Xiao Qijun as a wronged woman too timid to speak, her demeanor stirringly delicate.

It was the first time he’d seen Yu Nanqing so vulnerable, and his heart stirred. Stepping closer, he spoke gently, “Wait for me in Prince Ning’s household. I’ll definitely bring you out.”

Yu Nanqing believed him.

In her previous life, Xiao Qijun had made similar promises to Yu Nanrou, who had married in her place. After Prince Ning’s death, he openly took Yu Nanrou into his household.

Yu Nanqing smiled, the cold wind accentuating the flush at the corners of her eyes, evoking a captivating charm. “Your Highness seems to misunderstand. I don’t think Prince Ning’s household is a bad place.”

Xiao Qijun froze, unable to comprehend her words, even wondering if the Prince Ning she was to marry was the same mad deposed Crown Prince he knew.

“Nanqing, don’t say such things in anger. I might take them seriously.”

His tone softened, returning to his usual warmth. “Didn’t we get along well before? Or are you upset that I didn’t handle Yu Nanrou just now?”

Their past interactions had indeed been pleasant. In the struggle for the throne, resources were vital, and Xiao Qijun had targeted the Ji family’s wealth to bolster his bid for the crown. He had lowered his princely airs to win Yu Nanqing’s favor.

In her previous life, she had been deceived by his facade.

Yu Nanqing shook her head. “Fourth Sister’s matter will be handled by the Duke’s household. It’s not your place to intervene.”

Xiao Qijun frowned. “Then why are you still—”

“I’m willingly marrying Prince Ning,” Yu Nanqing interrupted.

Xiao Qijun’s face darkened. “I’ve told you, such jests aren’t funny.”

Meeting his gaze, Yu Nanqing’s lips curved into a bright yet restrained smile. “Years ago, I caught a glimpse of Prince Ning on Chang’an Street and fell for him. Your Highness is the closest in status to him, so my previous interactions with you were partly to glimpse a shadow of his grace.”

Watching Xiao Qijun’s lips tighten, she delivered the final blow: “I have long admired Prince Ning, and no one else will do.”